Hops Open New Ballpark in Front of Sellout Crowd

The new ballpark  in the Portland (OR) suburb of Hillsboro opened to a sellout crowd of 4,710 on Monday night, as the Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League) won their inaugural home opener 12-0 over the Eugene Emeralds.  Read more and view photo gallery here.

Commuting to the New Hillsboro Ballpark

Tonight is the inaugural home opener for Hillsboro Ballpark, home of the Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League).  If you are going, you might want to pay close attention to this rundown for getting to and from the stadium from The Oregonian’s Joseph Rose.  Read more here.

Financial Analysis Released for Fredericksburg (VA) Ballpark

According to financial projections in a report by Washington, DC-based Brailsford & Dunlavey, the proposed new minor-league baseball stadium in Fredericksburg (VA) would generate surplus revenues of about $274,000 a year for the city after the first few years of operation.  Read more here.  Read full report here.

Hops Show Off New Ballpark During Open House

The Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League) showed off their new 4,500-seat ballpark during an open house on Thursday.  Read more and view photo gallery here.

New Morgantown Ballpark: Let the Design Begin

The panel charged with designing the new baseball stadium for the West Virginia University Mountaineers and a possible Single-A franchise will meet for the first time today.  Read more here.

New Hillsboro Ballpark in Pictures

The Oregonian newspaper has published photos of Hillsboro Ballpark, the new home of the Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League), as preparations are made for the open house on Thursday and inaugural home opener on Monday.  View photos here.  The new “Barometer” art piece and signage also go up.  View more photos here.

RiverDogs to Hold Annual CLE Night, Lawyers Can Earn Credit for Participating and Attending Game

PRESS RELEASE – Lowcountry lawyers that convene at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park for their annual Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Night will have the opportunity to hear from the state’s Chief Justice.

Peoria Chiefs Icon Dies at 87

Pete Vonachen, the icon of the Single-A Peoria Chiefs (Midwest League), and former owner of the club, passed away on Monday.  He was 87.  Fans, players, managers, friends, and family members paid tribute to Vonachen during Monday’s game at Dozer Park.  Read more here.  View press release here.  To get to know Vonachen better, watch his tribute to Harry Caray, his lifelong friend.

Hillsboro Ballpark Open House This Week

Hillsboro (OR) city officials have invited the public to the grand opening of the new Hillsboro Ballpark, home of the Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League), at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 13.  The team’s inaugural home opener is scheduled for Monday, June 17.  Read more here.

WVU Approves Land Purchase for Stadium

Members of West Virginia University’s Board of Governors on Thursday unanimously approved the purchase of a seven-acre property for the university’s new baseball stadium, which is also expected to house a relocated Single-A club.  The property is located near University Town Centre across the Monongahela River from Morgantown in Granville.  Read more here.

Talking S.I. Yankees

Staten Island Advance sports reporter Jim Waggoner talks with Single-A Staten Island Yankees (New York-Penn League) President and General Manager Jane Rogers about the team’s bright future.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

A Single-A Option for Ottawa?

An Ottawa city committee heard that there is at least one team ready to submit a proposal to bring baseball back to the city, pending $10 million to $30 million in funding for Ottawa Stadium upgrades.  Single-A ball is reportedly a possibility.  Read more here and here.

Ballpark Land Purchase Proposal on Deck

The West Virginia University Board of Governors will consider on Thursday a proposed $2.3 million land purchase for a new baseball stadium near Morgantown (WV) for the Mountaineers baseball team and a Single-A affiliated club.  Read more here.

RiverDogs Host ‘Bark For Brew’

PRESS RELEASE – Enjoy a unique opportunity to sample some of the finest craft beers at “Bark for Brew,” a dog-friendly, craft beer tasting presented by Fetch Doggie Day Care. Bark for Brew is set for Sunday, June 9, at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park at 2pm prior to the RiverDogs’ scheduled game against the Asheville Tourists (first pitch is 5:05 pm). As an added perk, parking will be free of charge on

Fredericksburg City Staff Charged With Making Deal Happen

During a closed-session meeting earlier this week, the Fredericksburg (VA) City Council directed city staff to negotiate the terms of a deal to bring a minor league baseball team and multi-purpose stadium to town.  The Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) are rumored to the target of this endeavor.  Read more here.

Hawks Host 4th Annual Blues, Brews and BBQ

PRESS RELEASE – What better way to kick off the summer than enjoying a BBQ with family and friends! Your Boise Hawks will be hosting their 4th Annual Blues, Brews and BBQ event this Saturday, June 1, at Memorial Stadium to benefit The Idaho Humane Society.

Council to Hold Closed-Door Meeting to Discuss Ballpark Proposal

The Fredericksburg (VA) City Council will hold a closed meeting next Tuesday night to discuss a potential deal to build a multi-purpose stadium and bring minor league baseball to the city.  City officials are rumored to be in relocation discussions with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  Read more here.

Logo Unveiled for Peoria’s Dozer Park

As the new naming rights partner for the home of the Single-A Peoria Chiefs (Midwest league), heavy-equipment giant Caterpillar Inc. has unveiled their logo for “Dozer Park.”  Read more here.

Pelicans to Sell Ballpark Naming Rights, Hire LSM

PRESS RELEASE – The Myrtle Beach Pelicans announced today they have retained Legends Sales and Marketing (LSM) to exclusively sell the naming rights to Pelicans Ballpark. In addition to the ballpark’s naming rights, LSM, will also develop and identify new sponsorship opportunities and partners for the Club.

Ryan Gates Promoted to Hot Rods General Manager, COO

PRESS RELEASE – The Bowling Green Hot Rods, Class A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, announced a promotion today for General Manager Ryan Gates. The team’s third-year executive has been elevated to General Manager and Chief Operating Officer and will replace President Brad Taylor, who has accepted a leadership position with the new Triple-A team

Hillsboro Hops Unveil Uniforms

The Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League) unveiled their official home, road, and BP uniforms on Thursday at their new ballpark at Gordon Faber Recreation Complex.

Hillsboro Hops Facebook Photo

Hillsboro Hops Facebook Photo

Ems and VooDoo Doughnuts in a Food Fight

PRESS RELEASE – The Emeralds are competing against 63 other minor league clubs to crown the best ballpark food item in the land. The Emerald’s contest entry is the new Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Brat which was unveiled to rave reviews at the May 4th ticket release party at PK Park.

Lights On in Hillsboro

Construction is nearing completion on the new ballpark for the Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League) at Gordon Faber Recreation Complex in Hillsboro (OR).  The lights were turned on for the first time on Wednesday, but work remains on the artificial turf, scoreboard, outfield berm, and other finishing touches.  Read more here.  View stadium photo here.

North Augusta Pitches New TIF Plan for Ballpark

North Augusta (SC) City Officials made their second pitch to the Aiken County School Board on Tuesday night to try and sell them on a TIF (tax increment financing) plan for Project Jackson that would include a new ballpark for the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets (South Atlantic League).  Read more here.

Study Gives Fredericksburg Thumbs Up to Hosting Professional Baseball

As expected, representatives from Washington (DC)-based Brailsford & Dunlavey presented to the Fredericksburg (VA) Economic Development Authority today the positive results of a study assessing the economic viability of building a new multi-use baseball stadium in the market.  Read more here.

Sale of GreenJackets Finalized

PRESS RELEASE – The sale between Ripken Baseball and Agon Sports & Entertainment has been completed and approved by the South Atlantic League, Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball. Now the new era of GreenJackets baseball begins.

Spinners Announce ‘Band of Brothers’ Bobble for July

PRESS RELEASE – One season after dedicating a POW/MIA seat in honor of all those soldiers who never returned home, the Lowell Spinners (Class-A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox) will partner with the WWII Foundation on a night to salute more of our heroes with “Band of Brothers” Bobble Head Giveaway Night Tuesday, July 2.

Doubledays GM Leaving Post for New Job

Adam Winslow, general manager of the Single-A Auburn Doubledays (New York-Penn League), has decided to leave his post for a new job with Johnston Paper.  Winslow’s last day with the team will be May 19 — just one month before the 2013 season begins on June 17.  Read more here.

Chiefs Stadium Renamed (Bull)Dozer Park, Caterpillar Naming Rights Partner for 10 Years

PRESS RELEASE – The Peoria Chiefs and Caterpillar Inc. have announced the renaming of Peoria Chiefs Stadium to “Dozer Park” effective immediately. The agreement is part of a 10-year $2 million investment by Caterpillar in the naming rights for the ballpark in partnership with the Chiefs.

Aberdeen IronBirds Announce Danny Mays as “The Voice” of Ripken Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – The Aberdeen IronBirds, Class ‘A’ short season affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, today announced Danny Mays as its new public address announcer at Ripken Stadium. “The Voice” of Ripken Stadium was an online, social contest allowing interested parties to submit an audition video and engage in an interactive, public voting process.  Mays was among eight finalists who

Preliminary Ballpark Study to be Presented in Fredericksburg

Representatives from Washington (DC)-based Brailsford & Dunlavey will present to the Fredericksburg (VA) Economic Development Authority on Monday the preliminary results of a study assessing the economic viability of building a new multi-purpose baseball stadium in the market.  Read more here.

Mayor Negotiates $150K Naming Rights Deal for Bowman Field

Williamsport (PA) Mayor Gabriel Campana announced that he has successfully negotiated a corporate naming rights deal for Bowman Field, home of the Single-A Williamsport Crosscutters (New York-Penn League).  If approved by the city council in June, the naming rights partner will pay the city $30,000 per year for five years.  Funds will be used for ballpark improvements.  The new name for the

New Morgantown Ballpark: Making It Happen

WVUsports.com baseball blogger John Antonik takes an interesting look at the ins and outs of securing the developing new ballpark in Morgantown (WV) for the West Virginia University Mountaineers baseball team and Single-A New York-Penn League franchise.  Read more here.  Thanks to Joe Mock for the link.

Kane County Cougars Go Chewie for Star Wars Night

PRESS RELEASE – The Kane County Cougars have unveiled custom commemorative Star Wars jerseys that players and field staff will wear as part of the organization’s Star Wars Night at this Saturday’s May 4th game.

City Council Approves Restructuring Plan for Peoria Chiefs

As a follow up to our post last week about the proposed plan to bail out the financially struggling Single-A Peoria Chiefs (Midwest League), the Peoria (IL) City Council on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved the $7 million debt restructuring package by a vote of 9-1.  Read more here.

Stadium Redefining Greenville’s West End

Opening in 2006, Fluor Field, home of the Single-A Greenville Drive (South Atlantic League), has played a key role in redefining Greenville’s (SC) industrial West End neighborhood.  Beyond the economic impact of the eight-year-old stadium, it appears the Drive are being very good neighbors too.  Read more here.  Take a video tour of Greenville here.

City, CAT, Banks Step Up to Save Chiefs

The financially struggling Single-A Peoria Chiefs (Midwest League) could be saved with a $7-million restructuring plan that includes forgiveness of bond payments to the city, the purchase of ballpark naming rights by heavy-equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, Inc., loan reduction by banks, increased investment by team owners, and higher fees for Bradley University to use the facility.  The deal must

Flood Waters Won’t Stop Bandits

The Mississippi River is rising again this spring in Davenport (IA), as crews worked Friday to build an elevated pedestrian walkway into Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Quad Cities River Bandits (Midwest League).  Like last year, the completed path will take visitors over the temporary flood wall, which has been built to 22 feet above flood stage outside the stadium.  Read more and view news clip here.

Bandits Adding Amusement Rides for 2013

PRESS RELEASE – The Modern Woodmen Park experience is about family-friendly fun, and this season Main Street Amusements is enhancing the ballpark to a whole new level. The Quad Cities River Bandits are set to become the first team in Minor League Baseball to bring a Ferris wheel inside its ballpark. But they are not stopping there. The River Bandits will also be adding a dual

Hagerstown: Ballpark Feasibility Study In, Sites Being Explored

As the city of Hagerstown (MD) digests the 56-page Ripken feasibility report for building a new $22-$25 million ballpark for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League), city officials are pondering a number of site options for locating the facility.  Read more and watch news clip here.